Its that time of year again, where the good fellows at W5 Physio grow a mustache to raise money for the Movember Foundation.

‘We’re the only charity tackling men’s health on a global scale, year round. We’re addressing some of the biggest health issues faced by men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.

We know what works for men, and how to find and fund the most innovative research to have both a global and local impact. We’re independent of government funding, so we can challenge the status quo and invest quicker in what works. In 13 years we’ve funded more than 1,200 men’s health projects around the world. By 2030 we’ll reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25%’ (https://uk.movember.com/about/foundation)

If you wish to donate to this worthy cause, please click the link here.

We are very proud announce W5 Physio is expanding into Ealing’s best gym, Eden Fitness on Uxbridge Road. This is a great opportunity for both the gym and for W5 Physio to create an even better rehabilitation environment for all of our patients seen at the gym, as we will be able to walk you straight onto the gym floor to progress your exercises and then liaise with the excellent gym staff to take you to the next level when using their personal trainers.

We have an exciting opportunity for a positive, highly skilled and people-focused self-employed Physiotherapist to join our great team. The role is 34hrs a week.

We are a busy dynamic established practice based in Ealing Broadway, London.

The practice has 3 treatment rooms and is supported by a strong administration team. We are a dynamic team of 5 great physios.

The ideal candidate will have at least 5years of neuromusculoskeletal experience, and excellent skills in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of all neuromusculoskeletal conditions. The candidate will be highly self-motivated, enthusiastic, positive and want to work as part of a successful team to build their caseload and relationships with existing referrers.

The candidate will receive clinical support, fortnightly structured CPD and in-service training. External CPD courses and training will be paid for in keeping with the candidates learning objectives and career direction. Excellent remuneration of between £45K-£50K depending on experience and caseload.

W5 Physio has turned a striking shade of pink for the whole of January in support of Breast Cancer Campaign. All physio staff are wearing specially branded shirts in breast cancer pink for the month to raise money for a brilliant cause.

Breast Cancer Campaign was established in 1988 with the aim of researching the cure for breast cancer. The charity aims to be the leading specialist in breast cancer research across the UK and Ireland, making a significant impact on breast cancer for the benefit of patients. As of September 2014, Breast Cancer Campaign has invested nearly £14 million in 82 research projects across the UK and Ireland, all with a goal of ‘overcoming and outliving the disease in our lifetime’. Read more on the campaign at www.breastcancercampaign.org

The clinic has been covered in pink stars – for 50p, anyone can guess the number of stars to win a free treatment!

W5 Physio’s sponsored local rugby team, Hanwell RFC, have continued their good start to the new season with a fantastic come-from-behind last minute victory in the Middlesex Vase Competition, against opponents Hammersmith & Fulham, who play in a higher league and were undefeated coming into the Hanwell match.

2 early tries to H&S saw the scoreboard read 0-14 against Hanwell who initially struggled to get into the game. Hanwell fought back to trail 10-21 at half time, and then scored a try in the 78th minute to get to 20-21 to H&S, but painfully, the conversion was unsuccessful. But, dear reader, Hanwell were not finished yet. Here’s Hanwell RFC co-founder John Bodman to re-tell the epic conclusion!

“With the referee indicating that the game would restart with just 1 minute left the play, the home side gathered the restart and began to make progress into the opposition half. Building phase after phase, the Hammersmith defence was stretched to the point where they halted the Hanwell attack illegally.

With the penalty awarded to the home team, the referee advised that this was to be the final play and that Hanwell could not kick for touch. Flanker Michael Durkin, thinking quickly, took the tap penalty and headed directly for the Hammersmith defenders, hoping to gain a further penalty for the visitors not retreating the full ten metres. However, in their rush to get back, two Hammersmith defenders turned their back on Durkin, who ran for the space between them.

With just the fullback to beat, Durkin opted to run over the defender rather than risk going around and he grounded the ball deep in the corner to give Hanwell a last gasp victory.

With the win already sealed, fullback Kevin Falvey stepped forward to take the hardest conversion of the game, far out wide. This time, the ball flew straight through the centre of the yellow ribbon covered posts to bring a breath taking game to an end and put Hanwell through to the next round”.

Nearly 6000 runners took part in the event, which has won numerous awards for atmosphere and enjoyment in its brief history, but never before had it been this hot, with temperatures quickly rising to the mid 20’s.

“It was baking hot” said Stewart during his well earned sports massage the following day.

“Stewart and I just stuck together” said Patsy, “Neither of us were interested in a specific time because of the weather, and it was a great decision in the end – we just egged each other on and kept each others spirits up”.

Sadly, Ealing resident Andrew Carter, who was only 33, passed away in a local hospital after collapsing near the finish of the race. After receiving immediate care at the race, he passed away on Wednesday 1st October 2014 in hospital. W5 Physio would like to express our deepest condolences to Andrew’s family and friends. A beautiful statement from the family can be read here on the Ealing Half Marathon website.

It is absolutely essential whenever you are doing any exercises, in the gym or at home, to do so with the correct technique. If you are unsure of how to do any activity, please grab a personal trainer if in the gym, or contact us about a home exercise. Be safe!

The countdown is on – the 2014 edition of Movember at W5 Physio is upon the unsuspecting populace of Ealing!

Last year, the Movember initiative raised £20.4 MILLION in the UK alone, helping fund raise for Testicular and Prostate Cancer research, and funding for men’s mental health programs.

Here is some more information on the worldwide impact of the Movember Foundation –

“The Movember community has raised £346 million to date and funded over 800 programmes in 21 countries. This work is saving and improving the lives of men affected by prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health problems.

The Movember Foundation challenges men to grow moustaches during Movember (formerly known as November), to spark conversation and raise vital funds for its men’s health programs. To date, 4 million moustaches have been grown worldwide, but we won’t stop growing as long as serious men’s health issues exist.”

Stewart and Greg at W5 Physio are proud to do their 4th year of growing a Mo for Movember, any donations can be made here – moteam.co/w5-physio

Slightly dodgy updates will be posted on Twitter and Facebook, get ready!

Our great friend Stefano at @Saddledrunk is riding a fold-up bike, a Dahon Vitesse (with 20 inch wheels!) all 270km from London to Paris on the 12th of September 2014 for Oakley Waterman Caravan Foundation and Prostate Cancer UK.

Stefano will be riding with his friend Stuart Carpenter, and his father in law, Nonno Pippo. Stuart describes the reason for supporting the Oakley Waterman Caravan Foundation beautifully in their challenge blog here. Stefano has chosen Prostate Cancer UK, a disease affecting some 250 000 men in the UK. All details of how to sponsor Stefano and Stuart (and Nonno) can again be found in their blog here.

W5 Physio’s Stewart has stepped up and will be providing physio support, meeting the boys in Paris (after spending a Eurostar trip in the bar) at the destination for a well earned recovery session.

We wish Stefano, Stuart and Nonno all the best on their epic ride, if you are able to give any donations to their challenge, please click here.